Dancing Between Light and DarknessThe world we inhabit is full of symbolism and patterns. Part of our journey, arguably our responsibility, is tuning into our surroundings as well as our internal workings to decipher the delicate dance between them. Who is leading, and who is following? Which is the original, and which is the reflection? In a house of mirrors, it can be challenging to navigate the interplay between light and shadow, to ultimately trust that our senses will lead us to the exit. In this experience, the feedback loop is uninterrupted, even as we slumber, our subconscious wades through the tides of emotions, sensations, worries, and fears. Eclipses bring us a symbolic interlude, encouraging us to reflect, discern, shed, and transform if necessary. With this eclipse, we’re in the fiery sign of Aries and have a conjunction with Chiron, so there’s an opportunity to assuage our more dominant aspects and heal reactive parts of ourselves when old wounds are prodded. Let’s take a look through the tarot cards to see what we can expect and, of course, how best to embrace the opportunity to cultivate peace within, bringing our external environments to a place of harmony. With this special eclipse spread, the first card represents what lurks (in the least ominous way possible) in the shadows. What is hidden? How are we being reactive, and what could take some attention? The Seven of Wands. We can all get hung up on our particular visions of how things should be done. This card is within the suit of fire, particularly befitting an eclipse in Aries, where we should consider turning down the heat. There may be times when we feel we see the path clearly, and even if we don’t, we can be (overly) confident in our determination to go it alone. We can get wrapped up in blazing our own trail forward, whether that be with brute force, thinking on our toes, strong-arming our way forward, beating down our adversaries and overzealous critics, in whatever shape that flame takes hold, we double down on moving forward, with or without the support we need. The thing is, when we stoke the fire, if we’re not careful, it can quickly get out of control, and we risk burning bridges. Herein lies the shadow we’re being asked to assess at this time. Now that we’ve peeked into the darkness, what is the eclipse illuminating? The Three of Coins reversed. This is why the aforementioned trail-blazing-at-all-costs strategy isn’t going to cut it: we simply don’t know enough to achieve our highest goals alone. Eventually, we’ll reach a point that poses a challenge that will surpass our level of experience. Should we continue to push forward and bat away external suggestions, we’ll be forced to take shortcuts, jimmy together bandaged solutions, and set up the following steps on shaky foundations. This is, of course, all ill-advised, but if we couldn’t swallow our pride and arrogance to reach out to our community and the generous wisdom surrounding us, then so be it; there’s your lesson. Or we can consider a more collaborative approach. So what’s the path? What do we do now? Our guidance comes from the Six of Coins, and it just makes sense. The hermetic name of this card is the Lord of Success, and the key lies in collaboration. Sometimes, we are in a position to help others facing hard times, and it is our duty to reach out and do what we can. Sometimes, we’re the ones facing hard times, and much like the other side of the coin, it is our duty to ask for help. We need each other, and our combined experiences and expertise complete the picture. There’s no shame in asking for help, as there is no glory in helping when you can. This is the natural flow of life, give and take, yin-yang, up and down, all of it in a complex and interconnected web. When we dig our heels in and withhold assistance from others or refuse to ask for a hand, we are actively blocking the karmic and natural flow of the world. We’re being asked to contemplate and incorporate this concept into our lives.
New Moons symbolize new beginnings, so this is a chance for a new way of looking at things and perhaps a new way of doing things. This opens the door to an 18-month period of … Free will is a wonderful thing; regardless of the choices we make, it’s always a win, even if it doesn’t seem like it, as long as we’ve learned something and will apply that knowledge in the future.
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A Tarot reading for Halloween and the Day of the Dead, or All Saints' Day, is one of the most mystical times of the year to get guidance from beyond. We're extra lucky in 2020, as this year we get to bring both sides together under the full moon, a blue moon nonetheless, being the second in October. So what better time to call on that subtle support system for some guidance? I mean, they must be rolling over in their graves looking at the state of affairs this year! Ok, maybe not, but by the look of the Tarot cards, they haven't been too far away because they've picked up on the struggle, the strife and the need to come together to overcome this global nightmare. You may be a believer, or not, either way is okay, but if you open your mind and listen with more than your ears, you'll find that we're constantly accompanied and nudged along the path of love and courage. Whether we take that path is altogether a different story, but the choice is ours. To get a clearer picture of the situation from a broader perspective, today we're asking for guidance in the following way: What, above all else, would our ancestors want us to be mindful of at this time? The Tarot spread starts out with the current situation pointing to a place of authority, leadership, calculated decision-making and responsibility. The King of Swords tells us that now is the time to call on the most mature, stable archetype that resides within us and make decisions from a place of mental balance and intellectual dexterity. This is not the time to get emotional or let our guard down. This is one of the energies in the deck that when it appears, you know that you'll have to put on your big girl/boy britches and do what must be done in order to achieve the desired results. Residing in the suit of Swords, this is about structure, policy, rule-making, decisions that affect others and fully stepping into a space that allows you to come up with solutions to the situation. You make have to be flexible and move like the wind, but that fluid motion will eventually lead you down the path toward your greater goal. The swords can relate to govenment, science, medicine and communications, so it's no surprise that this card showed up to represent our current situation. If it were reversed, we would see despotism and oppression, but as it's upright here, we should heed any advice given by professionals in these fields at this time. What we choose to do on a personal level will have repercussions beyond our own reduced circle, so it's important to take responsibility for our actions. Even online Tarot readings pick up what's coming through from the other side... this challenge is a big one. Our challenge with this Tarot card is not to become a martyr! There's a lot at stake and given the magnitude of what we're facing, it would be easy to sulk and ask why me? Now is definitely NOT the time to do that. If we allow ourselves to slip into victim mode, we risk inaction and being paralyzed when the situation is demanding that we do anything but that. Do not give in, do not give up. Yes, it's been one hell of a ride, and no, we're not out of the woods yet. Don't let that shake you. This is a test of our mental strength, perserverance and willpower. Keep pushing foward; the card is a 10, meaning that we're nearing the end of the most challenging part. Even if it looks like things are going south, and that may very well be the case, everything is temporary; you must ride it out! We've seen the challenge at this time is no joke and now we have an idea of what it entails. The thing is, the environment won't necessarily be conducive to drawing on that inner strength. There's a lot going on and the material matters in our lives will likely be a source of worry. There's a possibility of further material loss in the environment (job, money, social status) but again, this is a test. Now that our ancestors have been gracious enough to validate what many of us are probably feeling on some level anyway, we can be grateful for the awareness that it can bring us so that we may face it all head-on. Just when we thought this whirlwind of a year was hopefullly winding down, it seems that its effects live on like a zombie. Knowing that, recognizing that, will help us steel ourselves and gain perspective on this situation, understanding it for what it is: a cycle. Just like any cycle, there are ups and downs, highs and lows. We've got to ride them out just the same. It may manifest differently in people's lives, but no one is exempt. How we choose to swim during the changing tides is what makes the difference. Crystal clear, even without the crystals. Harness that valor and bravery to stand strong through the challenges. Sometimes it may feel that we're outnumbered and even within our own families we can feel the tension. Take a firm position and don't be afraid to show up, stick to your values and most importantly, keep your balance. Face the music. If you don't you surely won't be able to accomplish what you've set your mind to. This card also encourages us to do our homework and think a couple steps ahead so you'll be more prepared. The Wands are also about fire; draw on that inner spark and let it be the source that guides you. The outcome is glorious! We are not alone. This Tarot card shows us holding one wand while two others surround us. These are our counsellors, are friends, our partners that are on this journey with us as we look at and prepare ourselves for the next chapter of our legacy. Three is a number of creation and with the fire of courage, passion and our squad, we can achieve great things. The Lord of Virtue heralds cooperation, creation and expansion. This card in a Tarot reading is especially indicative of new business ventures, entrepreneurship and collaborations. Foster friendships and nurture your relationships. Think about where you want to go, how to get there and put a plan into action. Happy Halloween, Happy All Saints' Day and happy full moon! Let me know in the comments if the reading resonated with you :) Get Social
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Samantha LewisTarot readings are a fantastic tool to examine your life and all of the influences at work. With this knowledge of self and setting you can consciously move toward the path of greatest growth and self-realization. Here we explore recurring themes in the human experience and practices to promote self-care. In becoming more attuned to our own vibes we can consciously create a better space that benefits everyone. Archives
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